Positive Reaction to Peru Free Trade Agreement

The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council and National Cattlemen's Beef Association were all quick to commend the House for passing the free trade agreement with Peru Thursday.

The U.S. Grains Council was also pleased by the House's action. USGC President and CEO Ken Hobbie says it is a step in the right direction, and passage of the pending agreements with Panama and Colombia would give the U.S. access to more than two-thirds of the Western Hemisphere's population to export feed grains.

However, not everyone was happy about the passage of the Peru Free Trade Agreement. R-Calf USA has been urging the House to vote down the measure, citing a lack of health and safety standards and no provisions that would ensure U.S. produces ability to compete fairly in the global market.

"The Peru FTA does not provide for balanced market access opportunities that will serve the interests of U.S. cattle producers," says R-Calf President Max Thornsberry.

The Senate is expected to take up the Peru Free Trade Agreement after the Thanksgiving recess.